CHAPTER FORTY-EIGHT

Pouring out some wine for myself, I settled into the recliner, massaging my temples before downing the wine in one go. I hadn’t informed Chloe yet; facing her with this news would likely only breed resentment that could last a lifetime, something I couldn’t afford.

Pouring another glass, I gulped down its contents and repeated the action five times until I felt a bit tipsy. The situation was becoming increasingly troublesome, and the absence of a call left me wondering about Amelie's actions. Had she informed her father, or worse, had something terrible occurred in the aftermath? The uncertainty fueled my restlessness.

Snatching up the phone on the table, I dialed her number and waited. It rang, but instead of her picking up as expected, the call abruptly ended. She was avoiding my calls and showed no inclination to return them. I attempted to call her twelve times without success, regretting the words I had uttered to her at the office. The weight of the situation pressed down on me